Collapsible combination cabinet and work platform



Aug. 1958 R. B. WHITE 3,395,959

COLLAPSIBLE COMBINATION CABINET AND WORK PLATFORM Filed Feb. 16, 1967 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR RALPH B. WHITE BYW WQ QM M ATTORNEYS 6, 1968 R.B. WHITE 3,395,959

COLLAPSIBLE COMBINATION CABINET AND WORK PLATFORM Filed Feb. 16, 1967 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR RALPH B. WHITE BY Y/w Q, w. M

ATTORNEYS Unit 3,395,959 CQLLAPSIBLE COMBINATION CABINET AND WORKPLATFORM Ralph B. White, 2526 Castle Drive, Fort Wayne, ind. 46806 FiledFeb. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 616,566 it Claims. (Cl. 312-317) ABSTRACT OF THEDESCLOSURE The present invention relates generally to a collapsible,combination cabinet and work platform, and more particularly to a sewingcenter which is collapsible into a compact cabinet unit when it is notbeing used.

It is conventional in the art of sewing to provide sewing machineshaving storage compartments as well as a work platform. However, theprior art devices have the disadvantages that the storage spaces are notalways large enough to accommodate the usual supplies, accessories andequipment used in conjunction with the sewing machine and the workplatform, which is level with the sewing machine surface, is not alwayslarge enough to accommodate large pieces of cloth. Usually, in suchdevices, the sewing machine and the work platform associated therewithutilize a large portion ofv the available space and the balance of thespace is utilized for storage. The present invention overcomes certainof these disadvantages by providing a combination cabinet and workplatform. The cabinet and work platform of the present invention arecooperatively associated in such a manner that the required capabilitiesof each is not sacrificed to accommodate the other. Yet, the cabinet andwork platform of the present invention are collapsible into a compact,attractive piece of furniture which adds to, rather than detracts from,room decor.

The storage space provided by the present invention is readilyaccessible at all times. The work platform of the present invention isaccessible when the platform is extended from the cabinet, and issufficiently elevated to provide adequate leg room for an operator usingthe machine. The available work surface of the work platform iseffectively increased by a top which is hingedly mounted and congruentlysuperposed over the platform and arranged to be folded back over andsupported by the cabinet structure when the work platform is extended.The total work surface obtainable with the combination cabinet and workplatform of the present invention is, therefore, substantially twicethat of the extendible platform.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide acollapsible, combination cabinet and work platform which may be easilycollapsed into a compact unit for storage and alternatively convertibleinto a working surface and conveniently accessible storage compartments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible,combination cabinet and work platform comprising a cabinet structurehaving a laterally extendible platform mounted thereon.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro- States Patent 0"ice vide such a cabinet and work platform including a top hingedlymounted and congruently superposed over the platform and arranged to befolded back over and supported by the cabinet structure to provide awork surface extending from and level with the work surface of theplatform.

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided a collapsible,combination cabinet and work platform comprising a base having alaterally extendible frame mounted thereon. The frame is supported atone end by a downwardly extending support means and at the other end bythe base. A top is mounted on the frame. The top has two portionshingedly connected together. One of the top portions is arranged to besuperposed on the other when the frame is in a collapsed position and tobe folded over the base when the frame is in an extended position. Thebase has means for supporting the top when it is folded over the base,thereby providing a laterally extendible and substantially continuouswork surface.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptionof an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible, combination cabinet andwork platform of the present invention showing the platform collapsedinto the base structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cabinet and work platform of thepresent invention showing the platform extended to its outermostposition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cabinet and work platform of thepresent invention showing the work platform extended to its outermostposition, the top of said Work platform folded back over said cabinetand supported thereon and a sewing machine operatively arranged on thework platform;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner post of the cabinetshowing a cut-out therein for receiving a roller, which movably supportsthe work platform, when said platform is collapsed into the cabinetstructure; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a support leg of thework platform against the corner post of the cabinet and the rollersupporting the work platform disposed in a cut-out of the corner post,such as the cut-out shown in FIG. 4.

Generally speaking, the present invention is a collapsible, combinationcabinet and work platform which comprises a base having a laterallyextendible platform mounted thereon. The laterally extendible platformis supported at one end by downwardly extending support means and at theother end by the base. A top is hingedly mounted and congruentlysuperposed over the platform and arranged to fold back over the basewhen the platform is in its outermost position, thereby providing a worksurface extending from and level with the work surface of the platform.Means extending upwardly from the base are provided for supporting thetop when it is folded back thereover. In the illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, the extendible platform is movably supported onthe base by a plurality of rollers which are cooperatively associatedwith guide means mounted on the base. Also, storage means are providedin the base under the laterally extendible platform.

Referring now to the drawings, an illustrative structure of the presentinvention can be visualized in conjunction with the followingdescription.

The collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform of the presentinvention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is showncollapsed in FIG. 1 and extended in FIGS. 2 and 3. The invention isshown as being embodied in a sewing center and, therefore, a sewingmachine 16 is shown operatively arranged on the work platform in FIG. 3.

The invention comprises a base structure having first and second sidewalls 11 and 12, front and rear walls 13 and 14, and a laterallyextendible platform, indicated generally by the reference numeral 15,providing a top for the base structure.

A pair of drawers 17 and 18 is disposed in the base structure as shownin FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The drawers 17 and 18 are extendible from the frontwall 13 of the base structure. Of course, the drawers 17 and 18 are onlyillustrative and other means could be provided for utilizing the storagespace defined by the side walls 11 and 12, front and rear walls 13 and14 and the platform 15.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the platform 15 is laterally extendible inthe direction of the arrow indicated by the reference numeral 17 Whenthe platform 15 is extended to its outermost position, it is supportedat one end by a pair of support legs 18 and 19 and at the other end bythe base structure. In the illustrative embodiment, the platform 15 ismovably supported on four rollers, indicated by the reference numerals20, 21, 22 and 23. The rollers 20 and 21 are journalled on the platform15 and arranged to move on a pair of guides 24, shown in FIG. 2. Theguides 24 are arranged to extend horizontally along the top portion ofthe front and rear walls 13 and 14, respectively. The rollers 22 and 23are journalled at the lowermost portion of the support legs 18' and 19as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

There is a top 25 hingedly mounted and congruently superposed over theplatform 15 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The hinges connecting the top 25to the platform 15 are indicated by the reference numeral 26. The top 25is arranged to fold back over the base structure when the platform 15 isin its outermost position to provide a work surface extending from theplatform 15 which is level with a work surface, indicated by thereference numeral 27, of the platform. In FIG. 3, it can be seen thatthe top 25 is supported by upwardly extending portions 28 of the sidewall 11 when the top is folded back over the base structure 10.

In the illustrative embodiment, the platform 15 has a depth, indicatedby the reference numeral 29 in FIG. 2, suflicient to receive the sewingmachine 16 when it is folded down into the platform as is conventionalin the I sewing machine art. Obviously, the sewing machine 16 must befolded down into the platform 15 before the top 25 can be folded backonto the platform. A cavity for receiving the sewing machine 16 must beprovided in the platform 15.

The total work surface including the surface 27 of the platform 15 andthe surface of the top 25 is substantially twice the width of thecollapsed, combination cabinet and Work platform 10. In FIG. 3, it canbe seen that the total work surface is substantially level with thesurface, indicated by the reference numeral 30, of the sewing machine16. Supporting the top 25 by the extensions 28, as shown in FIG. 3,provides a stable work surface which is capable of supporting ratherheavy loads placed thereon. In prior art devices, the fold-over tops,similar to the top 25, have usually been suspended as a cantilever byhinges and, after a certain period of usage, either the screws holdingthe hinges come out or the hinges bend, thereby permitting the top tosag downwardly.

The false front 31 of the platform 15 can be omitted entirely or made apart of the cabinet structure.

Although the illustrative embodiment of the present invention shows fourcorner legs or posts 32 for supporting the combination cabinet and workplatform 10, it can readily be seen that the posts 32 are optional andthat the side walls 11 and 12 and front and rear walls 13 and 14 cansupport the combination cabinet and work platform 10.

When the combination cabinet and work platform is collapsed as shown inFIG. 1, the support legs 18' and 19 are directly adjacent to the sidewall 12. Thus, the collapsed, combination cabinet and work platform is acompact and attractive piece of furniture. In accordance with theconventional practice, the combination cabinet work platform 10 will beconstructed from a fine grade of wood to further add to itsattractiveness.

When the combination cabinet and work platform is collapsed as shown inFIG. 1, the rollers 22 and 23 are received in cut-outs, such as thecut-out 33 shown in the post 32 in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a view showing theroller 23 received in the cut-out 33 when the support leg 19 is directlyagainst the post 32. Of course, the rollers 20 and 21 are not visible atany time.

While there have been described above the principles of this inventionin connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understoodthat this description is made only by way of example and not as alimitation to the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform comprising abase having a laterally extendible frame mounted thereon, said framebeing supported at one end by downwardly extending support means and atthe other end by said base, a top mounted on said frame, said top havingtwo portions hingedly connected together, one of said top portions beingarranged to be superposed on the other of said top portions when saidframe is in a collapsed position and to be folded over said base whensaid frame is in an extended position thereby providing a laterallyextendible substantially continuous Work surface, said frame whenextended defining a kneehole, and means extending upwar-dy from saidbase for supporting said top when it is folded over said base.

2. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform as in claim 1wherein said frame is movably supported on said base by a plurality ofrollers,

said rollers being cooperatively associated with guide means mounted onsaid base.

3. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work frame as in claim 1including storage means disposed in said base under said laterallyextendible platform.

4. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform as in claim 3wherein said storage means comprises at least one drawer arranged formovement in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of saidplatform.

5. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform comprising abase having first and second side walls, front and rear walls, and alaterally extendible frame having an upwardly facing work surface, meansfor supporting a first end of said frame when said platform is in anextended position, the second end of said frame being supported by saidbase when said frame is in said extended position, said support meansbeing carried by said frame and arranged to be in juxtaposition to saidfirst side wall when said frame is in a collapsed position, a top memberhingedly mounted to said frame and superposed on said work surface ofsaid frame, said top being arranged to be folded over said base whensaid frame is in said extended position, said top member having a secondwork surface which extends from and is at the same elevation as saidfirst-mentioned Work surface when said frame is in said extendedposition, means extending upwardly from said base for supporting saidtop when it is folded over said base, said last mentioned support meansbeing positioned on said base substantially above said second side wall,storage means arranged in said base in the space defined by said sidewalls, front and rear walls, and said work surface, said storage meansbeing accessible from said front wall.

6. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform as in claim 5wherein said frame is movably supported on said base by a plurality ofrollers,

said rollers being cooperatively associated with a pair of guide means,

a first of said guide means extending horizontally along the top portionof said front wall and a second of said guide means extendinghorizontally along the top portion of said rear wall.

7. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform as in claim 5wherein said first mentioned support means comprises :a pair of supportlegs each having the roller journalled in a lowermost portion thereof,said rollers being arranged to movably support said first end of saidframe.

8. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform as in claim 7wherein cut-outs are provided in the lowermost portion of said firstside wall for receiving said rollers when said frame is in saidcollapsed position.

9. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform as in claim 5wherein said last mentioned support means includes upwardly extendingportions of said second side wall.

10. A collapsible, combination cabinet and work platform comprising abase having a laterally extendible frame mounted thereon, said framebeing supported at one end by downwardly extending support means and atthe other end by said base, a top mounted on said frame, said top havingtwo portions hingedly connected together, one of said top portions beingarranged to be superposed on the other of said top portions when saidframe is in a collapsed position and to be folded over said base whensaid frame is in an extended position thereby providing a laterallyextendible substantially continuous work surface, said frame whenextended defining a kneehole, means extending upwardly from said basefor supporting said top when it is folded over said base, saiddownwardly extending support means including roller means at thelowermost portion thereof, said roller means being arranged to movablysupport said one end of said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,588,771 6/ 1926 Richardson312-201 2,547,641 4/1951 Henderson 31225l X 2,790,695 4/1957 Marino312--317 3,313,584- 4/1967 Rocker 31220l FOREIGN PATENTS 727,243 3/1955Great Britain.

JAMES T MCCALL, Primary Examiner.

